On October 25, An Bord Pleanála overturned the approval for a proposed glamping pod development near the foothills of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, a popular natural landmark in County Kerry. The four glamping pods were intended to be situated close to the newly planned South Kerry Greenway, a project currently under construction. The decision, which is a setback for the project, highlights concerns about rural development and land use in the area.
The development was initially approved by Kerry County Council, despite objections from a resident. The proposed site, located in a rushy, agricultural field in Ownagarry near the Ring of Kerry, was deemed unsuitable for the project by An Bord Pleanála, as reported by the Irish Independent. According to the board’s inspector, the site’s boggy terrain and poor drainage characteristics raised concerns over its viability for the planned development.
Farmer Muiris O’Grady, the applicant, had argued that the glamping pods were part of an agri-tourism initiative aimed at sustaining his family farm and diversifying income. The original planning permission granted by Kerry County Council had supported the proposal, emphasizing its alignment with rural tourism goals and the region’s glamping policy. It was stipulated that the pods would operate on a short-term letting basis, with individual water treatment and supply systems.
However, the decision was contested by resident Liam O’Keeffe, who argued that the project would lead to the “urbanization” of the countryside and negatively impact the visually sensitive area. An Bord Pleanála’s inspector, Ciara McGuinness, visited the site in June and noted concerns about the location’s accessibility and its remoteness from services, which would likely result in car dependency for visitors.
The inspector also pointed out that the proposed pods, each measuring 59.25 sqm and featuring a bedroom, bathroom, living area, and balcony, were large for a glamping development and more closely resembled holiday homes. The development’s scale and isolated nature, disconnected from the existing farm complex, led to further concerns that it would not complement the surrounding landscape or contribute to sustainable development goals.
An Bord Pleanála ultimately sided with the inspector’s findings, stating that the proposal would result in “random rural development” in a sensitive area, contrary to the county’s development plan. The decision emphasized that the project’s scale, location, and lack of integration with the existing farm infrastructure made it unsuitable for the area.
This ruling marks a significant moment for the future of rural tourism developments in Kerry, particularly in areas of natural beauty and ecological sensitivity.
